Sunnymead School Community Mourns Death of Second-Grade Teacher

For a second time this week, a Hillsborough school community is mourning the death of a teacher, after Sunnymead School second grade teacher Rosemarie Skavron died from complications from an illness Saturday.

Skavron had been working in the school until she took a leave just a few weeks ago.

She is survived by her husband, and daughter, Faith (additional family members may be added upon publication of the complete obituary). Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Mary, Mother of God Church, with visitation scheduled for 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at Hillsborough Funeral Home. 

The school has taken extraordinary steps to help the young students cope with the news. Parents reported receiving calls from Sunnymead Principal Tammy Jenkins over the weekend to share the news, as well as provide guidance on discussing the matter with their children.

"Talking to children about death must be geared to their developmental level," Dr. Jenkins said in an email sent to parents. "Children will be aware of the reactions of significant adults as they interpret and react to information about death and tragedy.

"In fact, for primary grade children adult reactions will play an especially important role in shaping their perceptions of the situation," she continued.

School counselors were prepared to provide grief counseling to any students Monday and through the week, and the school provided suggestions on helping students through their mourning (attached).